Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly May 18, 2026

A 673: Facilitates appellate review of rulings that implicate issues of public concern

This bill changes New York's criminal procedure law to allow defendants to appeal rulings denying evidence suppression motions - even if they later pleaded guilty or waived their right to appeal. It directly affects criminal defendants who want to challenge how evidence was obtained, making it easier to seek appellate review of such decisions. The key provision removes barriers to appeal for these specific rulings, ensuring they can be reviewed by higher courts regardless of a defendant's plea or waiver. The bill aims to strengthen judicial oversight of evidence-related rulings that involve matters of public interest.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands defendant rights by allowing appellate review of evidence suppression rulings post-guilty plea, protecting due process and strengthening constitutional safeguards in criminal procedure.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6971: Relates to forensic DNA testing and to requests for certain DNA test comparisons

Establishes the minimum period of time that forensic samples should be retained by investigating authorities; creates the state commission for the integrity of the criminal justice system, as an independent agency, and provides for such commission's powers and duties; relates to special fictitious name indictments; relates to requests for certain DNA test comparisons; relates to forensic DNA testing; relates to claims for unjust conviction and imprisonment; relates to DNA testing, data collection and record keeping; relates to DNA testing in felony cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates independent commission for criminal justice integrity and addresses DNA testing for unjust conviction claims, promoting system fairness and accountability.92% confidence

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failed · New York · Assembly May 5, 2026

A 5116: Prohibits the release of persons convicted of first degree murder

This bill (A 5116) prohibits the release of individuals convicted of first-degree murder through parole or any other means. It mandates that courts must sentence such offenders to either the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole, eliminating any possibility of parole consideration. The law directly affects people convicted of first-degree murder under New York Penal Law, requiring mandatory life sentences without parole options for this specific crime. The bill amends existing sentencing provisions to ensure no release is permitted for these offenders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates life without parole for first-degree murder, eliminating parole options and reducing defendant rights, increasing mandatory sentences.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3295: Ensures repeat offenders qualify for bail and pre-trial detention when the principal has been convicted of one or more misdemeanor or felony offenses

Ensures repeat offenders qualify for bail and pre-trial detention when the principal has been convicted of one or more misdemeanor or felony offenses within the immediate preceding five years.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands bail eligibility for repeat offenders, reducing pre-trial detention - a reform measure aligning with reducing unnecessary incarceration.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4565: Creates the office of expungement and automatic sealing

Creates the office of expungement and automatic sealing within the division of criminal justice services to oversee the sealing and expungement of certain convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates office for expungement/sealing of convictions, directly advancing criminal justice reform by reducing barriers for individuals with past records and aligning with recidivism reduction and civil rights protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1220: Makes it an unlawful discriminatory practice for prospective employers to make certain inquiries relating to criminal convictions

Establishes it shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice for any prospective employer to make an inquiry about, or to act upon adversely to the individual involved based upon, any criminal conviction of such individual unless such employer first makes a conditional offer of employment to such individual.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents employment discrimination based on criminal records, aiding reentry and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents employment discrimination based on criminal history, protecting workers' rights in hiring processes95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Employment Discrimination

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 921: Requires individuals arrested in connection with a felony to submit a DNA sample

This bill requires individuals arrested for specific felony offenses to submit a DNA sample for inclusion in the state DNA identification index. It applies to arrests for crimes including assault, homicide, sex offenses, kidnapping, burglary, robbery, and firearms violations. The law mandates DNA collection upon arrest unless the person previously provided a sample, and outlines procedures for court-ordered collection if refused. It also establishes clear processes for expunging DNA records when cases end in acquittal, dismissal, or pardons, ensuring records are removed from the index under defined conditions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates DNA collection for felony arrests, strengthening law enforcement evidence procedures in criminal justice system90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6492: Makes technical corrections to the clean slate law to correct issues relating to multicategory conviction dockets and the conviction-specific supervision prohibitor

Makes technical corrections to the clean slate law to correct issues relating to multicategory conviction dockets and the conviction-specific supervision prohibitor.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill corrects technical issues in clean slate law, advancing record clearance reform to reduce barriers for individuals with criminal records and support reintegration.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5741: Relates to justification for the use of deadly physical force by a police or peace officer

Limits the circumstances which justify the use of deadly force by a police officer or peace officer to instances when the person committed a felony that threatened or resulted in death or serious bodily injury and the officer reasonably believes that the person will cause death or serious bodily injury to another person unless immediately apprehended.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLimits police deadly force to narrow circumstances, enhancing accountability and reducing excessive force incidents per criminal justice reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7014: Requires institutions and local correctional facilities to adhere to certain surveillance, recording and investigation standards

Requires institutions and local correctional facilities to adhere to certain standards regarding the surveillance of incarcerated individuals and detainees, and access to such surveillance recordings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates surveillance standards and access to recordings in correctional facilities, enhancing oversight and protecting civil rights of incarcerated individuals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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